Macrocyclic gold(I) complexes and [2]catenanes containing carbonyl functionalized diacetylide ligands

The carbonyl derivatized bis(alkyne) O=C(4-C₆H₄OCH₂CCH)₂ was converted into the imine derivatives RN=C(4-C₆H₄OCH₂CCH)₂ [R=OH, NHC(O)NH₂, NHC₆H₃-2,4-(NO₂)₂] and into the 4-bromomethyl-1,3-dioxolane derivative BrCH₂C₂H₃O₂C(4-C₆H₄OCH₂CCH)₂. The alkyne units in these compounds react with [AuCl(SMe₂)] in the presence of base to form the corresponding digold(I) diacetylide complexes, that exist as insoluble oligomers or polymers. They reacted with the diphosphines Ph₂PZPPh₂ [Z=CC, trans-HC=CH and (CH₂)_n, n=3–5] to give macrocyclic gold(I) complexes of the type [Au₂(μ-LL)(μ-PP)], where LL is the diacetylide and PP the diphosphine ligand. The ability of these macrocyclic complexes to self-assemble to [2]catenanes has been studied. The ketone and imine derivatives do not form [2]catenanes because the orientation of the aryl groups is unfavorable, but the 1,3-dioxolane derivatives may catenate if the ring size is optimum.     

Gold(I) macrocycles and topologically chiral [2]catenanes

The design and synthesis of a new type of topologically chiral [2]catenane is reported. The compounds are formed easily by self-assembly on reaction of the oligomeric digold(I) diacetylide precursor complex [[4-BrC(6)H(4)CH(4-C(6)H(4)OCH(2)CCAu)(2)](n)] with diphosphine ligands. Reactions with the diphosphines PP = bis(diphenylphosphinophoshino)acetylene, trans-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene, bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, and 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene yield simple ring complexes [4-BrC(6)H(4)CH(4-C(6)H(4)OCH(2)CCAu)(2)(mu-PP)] as the only products, since the spacer groups in the diphosphines are not long enough or are too bulky to allow catenane formation. Reaction with PP = bis(diphenylphosphino)propane or bis(diphenylphosphino)butane gave [2]catenane complexes [[4-BrC(6)H(4)CH(4-C(6)H(4)OCH(2)CCAu)(2)(mu-PP)](2)], whose structures are confirmed crystallographically. The macrocyclic ring compounds have C(s) symmetry but, as a result of the presence of the unsymmetrical "hinge group" 4-BrC(6)H(4)CH, the [2]catenanes have C(2) symmetry and so are topologically chiral. In favorable cases, the formation of the [2]catenane can be proved by NMR spectroscopy since catenane formation leads to nonequivalence of most ring atoms. The formation of the [2]catenanes was successfully predicted based on the conformation of the precursor bis(phenol), and it is argued that the methods used should be more generally applicable to the synthesis of functionally substituted supermolecules of interest for application in molecular devices.     

Self-assembly of rings, catenanes, and a doubly braided catenane containing gold(I): the hinge-group effect in diacetylide ligands

Reaction of the flexible dialkynyldigold(I) precursors X(4-C6H4OCH2C-CAu)2 with 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane gave complexes of formula [[[mu-X(4-C6H4OCH2CCAu)2[mu-(Ph2PCH2CH2CH2CH2PPh2)]]n]. The complexes exist as 25-membered ring compounds with n = 1 when X = O or S, as [2]catenanes with n = 2 when X = CH2 or CMe2, and as a unique doubly braided [2]catenane, containing interlocked 50-membered rings with n = 4 when X = cyclohexylidene. These compounds form easily and selectively by self-assembly; reasons for the selectivity are also discussed.     

Bispyrrolotetrathiafulvalene-containing [2]catenanes

Two [2]catenanes incorporating bispyrrolotetrathiafulvalene (BPTTF) and weaker aryl donors, hydroquinone (HQ) and 1,5-dioxynaphthalene (DNP), respectively, have been prepared and characterized. These [2]catenanes show a predominant amount (>95:5) of the co-conformation in which either the HQ or the DNP unit is encircled by a tetracationic cyclophane, cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT4+), contrary to what is observed in systems based on the parent tetrathiafulvalene (TTF). These new [2]catenanes act effectively as molecular switches which are always configured in the "on" state.     

Substituted cucurbit[n]uril rings, catenanes and channels

The developments into the synthesis of networked rings, and channels generated in crystalline structures of substituted cucurbit[n]uril with metal ions and organic cations are reviewed. Pertinent chemical features and characteristics are discussed in the context of structural design and supramolecular architecture when utilizing substituted cucurbit[n]uril as building blocks.     

Self-assembly of [2]rotaxane exploiting reversible Pt(II)- pyridine coordinate bonds

A dinuclear self-assembled cationic macrocycle based on Pt(II)-N(pyridine) coordinative bonds and having competitive triflate anions, as metal counterions, is used in the construction of [2]rotaxane and [2]pseudorotaxane architectures assisted by hydrogen bonding. The kinetic lability of the Pt(II)-N(pyridine) coordinative bond controls the dynamics of the [2]rotaxane.     

Palladium(II)-directed self-assembly of dynamic donor-acceptor [2]catenanes

Highly efficient syntheses of donor-acceptor [2]catenanes were developed using a combination of templation and reversible metal-ligand coordination. The desired [2]catenanes were obtained within minutes through a five-component assembly, involving a donor-containing crown ether, an acceptor-containing ligand, two Pd(II) metal centers, and a dipyridyl ligand. The [2]catenane formation was characterized by 1H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies and cold-spray ionization mass spectrometry. In particular, great translational selectivity was observed when a crown ether with two different donor units was employed.     

Synthesis and self-assembly of novel calix[4]arenocrowns: formation of calix[4]areno[2]catenanes

A series of novel calix[4]arenocrowns 1a-c were efficiently synthesized by a one-pot reaction of calix[4]monohydroquinone diacetate 5 with ditosylate 6 and its analogues in the presence of sodium hydroxide. It was found that the calix[4]arenocrowns could form stable pseudorotaxane-type complexes 2a-c with paraquat, and further self-assemble into calix[4]areno[2]catenanes 3a-c with dicationic salt 8 and p-bis(bromomethyl)benzene.     

Formation of bis- and tris[2]catenanes via the cross-catenation of Pd(II)- and Pt(II)-linked coordination rings

We have demonstrated the self-assembly of linear oligo[2]catenanes via selective cross-catenation. A Pd(II)-linked double looped molecule 1 was transformed into the cyclic trimer c-(1)₃ through the catenation. When 1 was treated with a kinetically inert Pt(II)-linked single looped molecule 2a in aqueous media (1:1.2 DMSO/H₂O) at room temperature, linear oligo[2]catenanes of 2a-(1)_n-2a (n=1 and 2) were selectively obtained, because the kinetically inert Pt(II)-linked ring 2a is allowed to thread on only kinetically labile Pd(II)-linked ring of 1. The distribution of the oligomers depends on the monomer ratio of 1 to 2a. When the ratio of 1 to 2a was 1:2, bis[2]catenane 3a (2a-1-2a) was quantitatively assembled. When the ratio of 1 to 2a was 1:1, not only 3a but also tris[2]catenane 4 (2a-1-1-2a) was assembled. The ratio of 3a to 4 was carefully determined to be 1:1 by NMR. The lengths of 3a and 4 in an extended conformation were estimated by MD/MM2 simulation to be 3.6 and 5.4 nm, respectively.     

Neutral pi-associated porphyrin [2]catenanes

A series of neutral porphyrin-containing catenanes has been synthesised, consisting of a zinc porphyrin strapped by a polyethylene glycol chain containing four or six ethylenoxy-units and incorporating a central naphthoquinol unit, interlinked with a naphthalene diimide macrocycle. The napthalene diimide precursor units exhibit only weak binding with the strapped porphyrins (Ka between 8 and 0.02 M(-1)), but good yields of the catenanes were obtained by Glaser coupling of the alkynyl napthalene diimide precursors in the presence of the porphyrins. Structures and solution conformations were determined by mass spectral and detailed 1H NMR studies. For the longer strapped porphyrins, the diimide macrocycle rotates around the central naphthoquinol unit at 420-450 times per second, while rotation is virtually prevented in the tighter strapped derivatives. A second dynamic process occurring in both sets of catenanes and described as 'yawing' leads to inequivalence in the naphthalene moieties. UV-Visible spectra indicate charge transfer interactions and electronic communication between the two components of the catenane.     

The topological and chemical implications of introducing oriented rings to [3]catenanes

We report the synthesis of three donor–acceptor azido-functionalised catenanes, wherein the asymmetric positioning of the azide group on one or two of the ring components renders its resident macrocycle constitutionally asymmetric, and so it acts as an oriented ring. As a consequence, the analyses of (i) a monoazido[2]catenane, (ii) a monoazido[3]catenane and (iii) a bisazido[3]catenane, which exists as a mixture of two conditional topological isomers, are significantly complicated. Accordingly, characterisation of the catenanes, which was achieved by a combination of dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single crystal X-ray diffraction, is an arduous task. We expect that the difficulties in analysing these mechanically interlocked molecules will be encountered more frequently as chemists prepare entities with increasingly complex topologies.     

Quantitative formation of [2]catenanes using copper(I) and palladium(II) as templating and assembling centers: the entwining route and the threading approach

Transition metal-mediated templating and self-assembly have shown powerful potentials for the synthesis of interlocked molecules. These two strategies were combined in designing and preparing a new type of coordination catenanes incorporating Cu(I) and Pd(II) metal centers. The ligand designed here contains a phenanthroline core and pyridine sidearms (compound 1). Using this phenanthroline-pyridine conjugated ligand, two approaches were examined, which were shown to be surprisingly efficient for the catenane synthesis: the entwining route (entwining of two ligands around Cu(I) followed by Pd(II) clipping) and the threading approach (Cu(I)-templated threading of a cyclic ligand on an acyclic ligand followed by the Pd(II) clipping of the second ring). In the former method, stepwise treatment of 1 with Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)PF(6) (templating center) and enPd(NO(3))(2) (assembling center) gives rise to the quantitative formation of CuPd(2) catenane 18. In the latter method, Cu(I) templates the threading of phenanthroline-containing macrocycle 2 on ligand 1, which is followed by Pd(II) clipping to give hetero catenane 20. In both approaches, the formation of catenanes is convincing thanks to the strong templating effect of Cu(I), while the ring closure steps are efficiently furnished by Pd(II)-directed self-assembly.     

Rational synthesis of multicyclic bis[2]catenanes

Bis-loop tetraurea calix[4]arene 6 has been prepared by acylation of the wide-rim calix[4]arene tetraamine 1 with the activated bis(urethane) 8 under dilution conditions. Similarly the bis(Boc-protected) tetraamine 2 is converted into the mono-loop derivative 3 which after deprotection and acylation gives the bisalkenyl derivative 5. In apolar solvents this tetraurea calix[4]arene 5 forms regioselectively a single hydrogen-bonded homodimer, from which the bis[2]catenane 10a is formed in 49% by a metathesis reaction followed by hydrogenation. Bis-loop derivative 6 forms no homodimers for steric reasons, but a stoichiometric mixture with the open-chain tetraalkenyl derivative 7a contains exclusively the heterodimer. Metathesis and subsequent hydrogenation now yields 65 % of the pure bis[2]catenane 10a which could not be isolated from the complex reaction mixture obtained from the homodimer 7a.7a. The chirality of 10a (D(2) symmetry) has been verified by optical resolution using HPLC on a chiral stationary phase.